Frequently Asked Questions
Below you’ll find answers to the questions we’re most frequently asked about our services, pricing and how we work.
If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, please get in touch.
What does Decernis do?
Decernis is an independent business advisory practice that helps UK businesses make better business decisions.
Through our Business Health Check and Advisory Membership, we help business owners gain a clearer understanding of their organisation, identify opportunities for improvement and make confident decisions about growth, operations, technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
We don’t sell software.
We don’t implement systems.
We don’t receive referral commissions.
Every recommendation is based on one simple principle:
Business first. Technology second.
What makes Decernis different?
Decernis is completely independent.
We don’t sell software.
We don’t receive commissions.
We don’t recommend preferred suppliers.
We don’t implement technology.
We don’t provide IT support.
We don’t charge by the hour.
Instead, we provide fixed-price business advisory services that help you make informed decisions based solely on what’s best for your business.
Our role isn’t to sell solutions.
Our role is to help you make better business decisions.
What does “Independent Business Advisory” mean?
Independent business advice means our recommendations are based entirely on what’s best for your business—not on commercial relationships or product sales.
Before making any recommendation, we take time to understand your objectives, your business, your people and the way you operate.
We’ll recommend technology where it genuinely adds value.
We’ll recommend process improvements where they’re more appropriate.
And if we believe you’re already making the right decision, we’ll tell you that too.
Our independence allows us to provide advice that’s objective, impartial and focused solely on helping your business succeed.
Who do you work with?
We primarily work with established UK small and medium-sized businesses that value independent advice before making important business decisions.
Our clients are often:
- planning for growth;
- improving productivity;
- reviewing business processes;
- evaluating technology or Artificial Intelligence;
- considering significant investment; or
- looking for an experienced independent adviser.
We work with organisations across a wide range of sectors, including:
- Professional Services
- Engineering
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Recruitment
- Property
- Charities
- Not-for-Profit Organisations
If you’re unsure whether Decernis is right for your business, we’ll be happy to discuss your requirements.
Do you work outside the UK?
Our services are designed primarily for businesses based within the United Kingdom.
If you’re located elsewhere and would like to work with us, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to discuss your requirements.
Which service should I choose?
Most businesses begin with a Business Health Check.
It provides an independent assessment of where your business stands today together with practical recommendations and a personalised 90-Day Improvement Plan.
Many clients implement those recommendations themselves.
Others continue with Advisory Membership, giving them ongoing access to an independent adviser who already understands their business and can support future decisions.
If you’re unsure where to start, we’ll recommend the most appropriate service based on your objectives.
Why should I start with a Business Health Check?
Before making important decisions, it’s useful to understand where your business stands today.
The Business Health Check provides an independent review of your organisation, highlighting what’s working well, identifying opportunities for improvement and prioritising the actions most likely to deliver business value.
Rather than overwhelming you with dozens of ideas, we provide practical recommendations together with a personalised 90-Day Improvement Plan.
It gives you a clear starting point for future improvement.
What is Advisory Membership?
Advisory Membership provides ongoing access to an independent business adviser who understands your business.
Instead of starting from the beginning every time you need advice, you’ll have someone who already understands your objectives, priorities and challenges.
Membership supports better decision-making across areas such as:
- strategic planning;
- business improvement;
- technology and AI;
- supplier reviews;
- investment decisions;
- operational improvement; and
- business growth.
It’s like having an experienced independent adviser in your corner whenever important decisions need to be made.
Do I need to complete a Business Health Check before becoming a member?
No.
You can join Advisory Membership without completing a Business Health Check.
However, many members choose to begin with a Health Check because it provides a detailed understanding of their business and establishes a strong foundation for ongoing advice.
Can I purchase more than one service?
Yes.
Many businesses begin with a Business Health Check before continuing with Advisory Membership.
Others purchase a Business Health Check as a standalone service and implement the recommendations independently.
Our services are designed to work together, but each can also provide value on its own.
Can services be tailored?
Our services have a clearly defined scope, fixed price and stated deliverables.
This means you’ll always know exactly what’s included before work begins.
If your requirements fall outside our published services, we’ll always discuss the available options with you before any additional work is agreed.
Do you provide implementation services?
No.
Decernis provides independent advice and recommendations only.
We deliberately remain independent so our recommendations are never influenced by implementation work, software sales or commercial partnerships.
You’re free to implement our recommendations yourself or work with any supplier you choose.
Do you provide IT support?
No.
Decernis is an independent business advisory practice rather than an IT support provider or Managed Service Provider (MSP).
Our role is to help you make better business decisions—not to manage your technology.
Will you recommend software?
Only where it genuinely supports your business objectives.
In many cases, improving business processes, governance or ways of working delivers greater value than introducing additional software.
Where technology is recommended, every suggestion is made solely because we believe it’s in your business’s best interests—not because of commercial relationships or commissions.
Are your prices fixed?
Yes.
Every Decernis service has a clearly defined scope, fixed price, stated deliverables and published delivery timescale.
This means you’ll always know exactly what you’re receiving and exactly what you’ll pay before work begins.
There are no hourly rates.
No hidden charges.
No unexpected invoices.
Just transparent pricing and clearly defined advisory services.
What are your current prices?
Our current prices are:
- Business Health Check – £695 + VAT
- Advisory Membership – £395 + VAT per month
All prices are published clearly so you can make an informed decision before purchasing.
Are there any hidden charges?
No.
The published price includes everything described within the relevant service.
If you request additional work that falls outside the published scope, we’ll always discuss it with you first and provide clear pricing before any additional work begins.
You’ll never receive unexpected invoices.
Do I pay before work begins?
Yes.
Payment is required before your Business Health Check is scheduled or your Advisory Membership begins.
This allows us to allocate time specifically for your business and begin work promptly.
Is VAT included?
Unless stated otherwise, all prices shown on our website are exclusive of VAT.
VAT will be added where applicable at the prevailing UK rate.
How We Work
What happens after I place an order?
Once your order has been confirmed, we’ll send you everything you need to get started.
For a Business Health Check, this includes a structured online questionnaire together with guidance on any optional supporting information you may wish to provide.
For Advisory Membership, we’ll arrange your onboarding, introduce how we’ll work together and schedule your first advisory session where appropriate.
From the outset, our aim is to make the process straightforward, professional and efficient.
How long does a Business Health Check take?
Once we’ve received the information we need, your personalised Business Health Review will normally be delivered within five working days.
We’ll keep you informed throughout the process and let you know if anything further is required.
How much of my time is required?
Very little.
The Business Health Check has been designed to minimise disruption to your business.
Most information is gathered through our structured online questionnaire together with any optional supporting documents you’d like to provide.
There are no lengthy workshops or multiple meetings.
This allows you to continue running your business while we complete your independent review.
Do we need meetings?
Business Health Check
No.
The Business Health Check is completed entirely remotely and doesn’t require meetings.
Our structured information-gathering process enables us to complete the review efficiently while keeping demands on your time to a minimum.
Advisory Membership
Yes.
Membership includes scheduled online advisory sessions together with ongoing email and telephone support whenever you need independent advice.
The frequency of discussions naturally varies depending on your business and the decisions you’re making.
Will you visit our premises?
No.
Decernis operates as a fully remote advisory practice.
Delivering our services remotely allows us to work efficiently with businesses throughout the United Kingdom while keeping costs low and maintaining fixed pricing.
How do you collect information?
We collect information through:
- our structured online questionnaire;
- email correspondence;
- advisory discussions (for members); and
- any optional supporting documents you choose to provide.
We only request information that’s genuinely relevant to delivering the agreed advisory service.
Do you need access to our computers or systems?
No.
We never require remote access to your computers, software or business systems.
Our advice is based entirely on the information you choose to share with us.
This protects both your security and your privacy.
Do I need to provide confidential company documents?
No.
Supporting documents are entirely optional.
You should only provide information you’re comfortable sharing and that you believe will help us understand your business more effectively.
If additional information would improve our recommendations, we’ll explain why it’s useful before requesting it.
Are reports written in technical language?
No.
Our reports are written in clear, straightforward English for business owners, directors and senior managers.
Where technical concepts or Artificial Intelligence are discussed, we explain them in plain language and focus on the practical implications for your business.
Our aim is always to provide advice that’s easy to understand and straightforward to implement.
Will I always receive a report?
Every Business Health Check includes a professionally prepared Business Health Review together with a personalised 90-Day Improvement Plan.
Advisory Membership is different.
Membership focuses on ongoing advice, business reviews and decision support rather than producing formal reports.
Where appropriate, we’ll also provide written recommendations, action plans or supporting documents to support important decisions or agreed actions.
Will you tell us if we’re already doing well?
Absolutely.
The purpose of the Business Health Check isn’t to find fault.
It’s to provide an honest, balanced assessment of your business.
If an area of your business is performing well, we’ll tell you.
If we believe you’re already making the right decision, we’ll tell you that too.
Our recommendations are based solely on where we believe genuine improvements can be made.
That’s one of the benefits of receiving completely independent advice.
Is our information confidential?
Absolutely.
Confidentiality is one of our core professional principles.
Everything you share with us is treated in strict confidence and used only for the purpose of delivering the agreed advisory service.
We understand that business owners often discuss commercially sensitive information, strategic plans and future investments.
Protecting that information is fundamental to the trust our clients place in us.
Can our Business Health Review be shared internally?
Yes.
Your Business Health Review is intended to support planning, discussion and informed decision-making within your organisation.
You’re welcome to share it with directors, managers or colleagues involved in reviewing or implementing the recommendations.
Who owns the Business Health Review?
Once your Business Health Review has been delivered, you’re free to use it within your organisation for internal planning, discussion and decision-making.
The report has been prepared specifically for your business and is intended to help guide future improvements.
Will you sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)?
Yes.
If your organisation requires a Non-Disclosure Agreement before sharing information, we’re happy to review and sign an appropriate NDA before work begins.
We recognise that many organisations have formal confidentiality requirements and we’re pleased to support those where appropriate.
How is our information stored?
Information is stored securely using reputable cloud-based services with appropriate technical and organisational security measures designed to protect your information.
We continually review our working practices to help ensure client information remains secure.
Will you share our information?
No.
Your information will never be shared with third parties without your permission unless we’re legally required to do so.
Because Decernis doesn’t sell software, receive referral commissions or work through commercial partnerships, there’s never any commercial reason for us to share your information.
Your business remains your business.
How do you comply with UK GDPR?
We handle personal information responsibly and in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation.
Further information is available within our Privacy Policy, which explains how personal information is collected, used, stored and protected.
Should our business adopt Artificial Intelligence?
Not necessarily.
Artificial Intelligence should only be introduced where it supports genuine business objectives and delivers measurable value.
In many organisations, improving existing processes, communication or governance will produce greater benefits than introducing new technology.
Our advice is always guided by one principle:
Business first. Technology second.
Do you recommend ChatGPT or other AI tools?
Only where they’re genuinely appropriate for your business.
Artificial Intelligence isn’t a solution in its own right.
It’s simply another business tool.
Any recommendation we make is based on your objectives, your people, your existing processes and the value AI is likely to deliver.
Sometimes AI is the right answer.
Sometimes it isn’t.
We’ll always tell you honestly.
Why shouldn’t we just ask ChatGPT?
Artificial Intelligence can be an excellent tool.
It can help with research, brainstorming, drafting documents and improving productivity.
What it can’t do is understand your business.
It doesn’t know your customers.
It doesn’t understand your people.
It can’t evaluate your commercial priorities or your appetite for risk.
It doesn’t have responsibility for the decisions you make.
AI provides information.
Decernis provides judgement.
Every recommendation we make is based on your specific business, independently assessed and professionally reviewed.
Where appropriate, we also use Artificial Intelligence responsibly within our own internal processes.
However, every recommendation remains our own.
Is Artificial Intelligence suitable for every business?
No.
Every organisation is different.
Some businesses will benefit significantly from adopting AI.
Others will achieve greater value by improving existing business processes before introducing additional technology.
Our role is to help you understand the difference.
We’ll recommend AI where it genuinely creates value.
We’ll also tell you when we believe another approach is likely to deliver better results.
Do you use Artificial Intelligence yourselves?
Yes—but responsibly.
Like many modern businesses, we use Artificial Intelligence to improve certain internal tasks where it’s appropriate to do so.
However, AI never replaces professional judgement.
Every Business Health Review, recommendation and piece of advice is independently reviewed before it’s provided to a client.
We believe Artificial Intelligence should enhance professional advice—not replace it.
How quickly will you respond to an enquiry?
We aim to respond to all enquiries within one working day.
If we need any additional information before recommending a service, we’ll let you know as quickly as possible.
How do I get started?
Most businesses begin with a Business Health Check.
It provides a clear understanding of where your business stands today together with practical recommendations and a personalised 90-Day Improvement Plan.
If you’re ready for ongoing support, you can also join Advisory Membership.
Simply choose your preferred service or contact us if you’d like to discuss your requirements first.
We’ll be happy to recommend the most appropriate starting point.
Do I need to know which service I need?
No.
Many clients contact us knowing they want independent advice but aren’t certain which service is the best fit.
We’ll discuss your objectives and recommend the most appropriate starting point based on your business, your priorities and what you’re trying to achieve.
Is there any obligation?
No.
Making an enquiry doesn’t commit you to purchasing a service.
You’re welcome to ask questions, discuss your requirements and decide whether Decernis is the right fit for your business.
We believe choosing an adviser should be an informed decision—not a pressured one.
Every Decernis Service Includes
Every service we provide is built on the same professional principles.
That means every client receives:
- Independent, objective business advice.
- Business first. Technology second.
- Fixed pricing with no hourly billing.
- Clearly defined scope and deliverables.
- Practical, prioritised recommendations.
- Honest, impartial guidance.
- No software sales or vendor commissions.
- Professional remote delivery throughout the UK.
- Confidential handling of your information.
- Respect for your time, your business and your objectives.
Our goal is simple.
To help you make better business decisions through advice that’s independent, practical and always focused on what’s genuinely best for your business.